Cathartic



Patented Mar. 2, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT N Drawing. Application November 14, 1935, Serial No. 49,712 r 1 Claim.

This invention relates to a composition of matter in the nature of a mild, safe cathartic or laxative for use by humans, and the primary object of the invention is to provide a self-sustaining, semi-solid, jelly-like body, wherein is held in suspension a quantity of mineral oil, phenolphthalein and calomel which is freed from the mass or body upon subjecting the latter to normal body temperatures and secretions of the stomach and intestines as and after the same is eaten.

Another important aim of the invention is the provision of a composition of matter in the form of a cathartic which is mixed in such a manner as to thoroughly intermingle a number of effective medicaments into a vehicle having the nature of a jelly-like, semi-solid body at normal atmospheric temperatures and formed of ingredients which, upon being subjected to temperatures within a short range above body temperature, will liquefy and free the medicaments.

Further objects of this invention, including the specific natures of the elements forming the novel composition of matter, the relative quantities found practical for use, and the manner of compounding the same will appear during the course of the following specification.

In preparing the cathartic in accordance with the broader objects of the invention, four distinct groups of ingredients are employed and in mixing a commercial batch, these four groups, hereinafter designated mixtures A, B, C and D, consist of materials in substantially the quantities mentioned as follows:

Mixture A Sugar lbs. 6 Corn syrup lb. 1 H2O oz. 22

Mixture B Mineral oil qts. 6

Mixture 0 Previously finished product lbs. 8 Mixture D Mineral oil qt. 1 H2O oz. 24 Glycerine oz. 1 Gelatin oz. 5 Phenolphthalein oz. 8 Calomel drams 6 After thoroughly mixing the sugar, corn syrup and water of mixture A, the same is placed in a suitable open vat and brought to a full boil and mixture B, or merely 6 qts. of mineral oil, is added thereto and subjected to further heat. The temperature to which these two mixtures A and B are raised after being brought together should be exactly 262 degrees Fahrenheit, and it is at this temperature that the joined mixtures A and B are placed in a mixing machine having a hook-type agitator that is operated at relatively low speeds so that an intimate mixture of the mineral oil and other ingredients is obtained without an objectionable amount of aeration. During the said mixing, 8 lbs. of the previously finished product is added and thoroughly dissolved before this slow-speed, special mixing is stopped.

In producing a composition of this character, a certain amount of waste is encountered and it has been found practical to re-work this waste in the proportion of 8 lbs. to a mix, as just mentioned.

After thoroughly agitating, and the 8 lbs. of previously finished product has been introduced, mixture D, consisting of mineral oil, water, glycerine, gelatin, phenolphthalein and calomel is joined with the mixture in the open vat and thoroughly agitated through the use of a paddle mixer for a period of two (2) minutes at medium speed. This relatively short period of time of mixing at a medium speed insures co-mingling of all of the ingredients now in the composition. After mixing for a period of two (2) minutes at a medium speed, the speed of the mixing machine is increased to a high speed for a period of six (6) minutes for a final agitation prior to pouring the liquid substance into special forms which have been made to size so that a predetermined amount of mineral oil, phenolphthalein and calomel will be present in each of the pieces created by the form.

The product should be allowed to set for a period of at least eighteen (18) hours and then cut and dipped into powdered sugar for a final coating prior to packing.

After cutting into bits, and coating with powdered sugar, the jelly-like semi-solid bodies should be allowed to stand for a few hours before actually packing in appropriate cartons.

The physical characteristics of the finished composition of matter when it is ready for packing, sale and use by the consumer, is much like jelly of a relatively hard consistency and the medicaments having the property of a mild cathartic will be freely suspended within the jellylike body and released as the product is eaten.

It is obvious that such food coloring as may be desirable may be added to the product with mixture D as it is being made and any suitable flavoring extract, such as oil of sweet orange, may be included. One ounce of this oil of sweet orange is sufficient to add to a batch made in accordance with the above formula and it becomes manifest that a large number of colors and flavors might be employed to suit conditions.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

A jelly-like, self sustaining composition of matter for use as a laxative and containing mineral oil, calomel and phenolphthalein, produced by dissolving 96 parts of sugar and 16 parts of corn syrup in 22 parts of water; adding 200 'parts of mineral oil to the sugar solution while heating the same to a temperature of 262 degrees Fahrenheit; adding, with first low speed agitation then relatively high speed agitation, the calomel and phenolphthalein with 14 parts of glycerine, 5 /2 parts of gelatin and 24 parts of water, said heating and agitation being continued until the mineral oil, phenolphthalein and calomel is evenly distributed throughout the mass; and then allowing the mass to cool and set to present a resilient, self sustaining body having the characteristic of breaking down at normal body temperature without addition of water to free the mineral oil, cal- 

